System For Magnetically Securing A Golf Ball Mark Holder To An Article

ABSTRACT

A golf ball mark holder is secured to an intermediate material by placing a first clamping body and a second clamping body on opposite sides of the material. A first magnet is connected to the first clamping body and a second clamping body is connected to the second clamping body, causing the clamping bodies to become magnetically attracted to each other and clamp down upon the intermediate material. The first clamping body is ferrous, allowing it to be magnetized by the first magnet. The first clamping body is then capable of securing the golf ball marker, as the golf ball marker is magnetically attracted to the first clamping body. Through use of the first clamping body and second clamping body the golf ball mark holder along with the users golf ball marker can be secured to any intermediate material without disrupting or altering the intermediate material.

The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 61/845,058 filed on Jul. 11, 2013.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a system for using magnetism to secure a first clamping body and second clamping body to an intermediate material and for attaching a golf ball marker to the first clamping body.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Golf ball markers are one of many accessories commonly used in golf. Golf ball markers are used to indicate the most recent position of a golf ball, allowing the ball to be removed from the putting surface during play. Since it is desirable for said golf ball markers to be easily accessible to a user, there are a number of prior art that are provided for holding and carrying golf ball markers. These prior art primarily secure the golf ball marker by installing a corresponding magnet in a hat or by using a mechanical clip to secure the golf ball marker to a user's garments. Though capable of holding the golf ball marker, these prior art have drawbacks. Prior art which install magnets in a preexisting clothing article require a user to buy that specific clothing article; user flexibility is reduced as they are only capable of securing the golf ball marker to an article containing a preinstalled magnet. Other prior art use a pin, needle, or similar component to pierce an article and allow the golf ball marker to be secured to said article. While these prior art afford a user methods to attach ball markers, using the pin causes some damage to the article. Other methods of attaching a golf ball marker exist, but many are not simple to operate or fall out of place.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a system that allows a golf ball marker to be attached to any article through the use of magnetic clamping bodies. It is a further object of the present invention to be non-damaging to the article that is clamped, and to provide a secure non-slip mounting point for the golf ball marker.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a lateral view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded lateral view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view showing a magnet-receiving recess of a first clamping body of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the magnet-receiving recess of a second clamping body of the present invention, with a first magnet omitted for ease of disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a lateral view of the first clamping body of the present invention, with a second magnet omitted for ease of disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the first clamping body of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of the first clamping body of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a lateral view of the second clamping body of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the second clamping body of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a bottom perspective view of the second clamping body of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a golf ball marker of the present invention.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

The present invention is a system for magnetically securing an item to an article, especially in the sport of golf. The magnetic properties of the present invention allows for an item to be secured to an article without the use of damaging pins, needles, and similar anchoring components. The present invention comprises a first clamping body 1, a second clamping body 2, a first magnet 3, a second magnet 4, and an intermediate material 5. The first clamping body 1 and the second clamping body 2 are positioned on either side of the intermediate material 5, with the first clamping body 1 being external with respect to the intermediate material 5 and the second clamping body 2 being internal with respect to the intermediate material 5. The first magnet 3 and second magnet 4 are magnetically attracted to each other, pulling together their respective first clamping body 1 and the second clamping body 2 and resulting in them clamping against the intermediate material 5. The first magnet 3 and the second magnet 4 are integrated with the clamping bodies; the first magnet 3 is adjacently connected to the first clamping body 1 and the second magnet 4 is adjacently connected to the second clamping body 2. A golf ball marker 6 can then be attached to the first clamping body 1, held in place due to magnetic attraction experience between the golf ball marker 6 and the first magnet 3 along with the magnetization of the first clamping body 1. The arrangement of the present invention is shown in a normal configuration in FIG. 1 and an exploded configuration in FIG. 2. An additional exploded view is shown in FIG. 3, depicting the first clamping body 1, first magnet 3, intermediate material 5, and golf ball marker 6.

The first clamping body 1 and the second clamping body 2, analogous to an upper and lower jaw of a clamp, each comprise a first planar surface 71, a second planar surface 72, and a magnet-receiving recess 73. The magnet-receiving recess 73 of the first clamping body 1 traverses into the first planar surface 71, acting as a centering guide for installation and mounting of the first magnet 3. The second planar surface 72 of the first clamping body 1 is provided as a coupling surface for the golf ball marker 6. The second clamping body 2 has a similar configuration. The first planar surface 71 of the second clamping body 2 has a corresponding magnet-receiving recess 73 which serves as the mounting point for the second magnet 4. The magnet-receiving recess 73 of the second clamping body 2 traverses into the first planar surface 71, helping to center the second magnet 4 during installation and mounting. The first clamping body 1 and the second clamping body 2 also each comprise a lateral surface 74 which connects the first planar surface 71 and the second planar surface 72. The lateral surface 74 effectively acts as a wall, being perimetrically connected to both the first planar surface 71 and the second planar surface 72. In summation, the first planar surface 71 and the second planar surface 72 are opposite faces of the clamping body which are connected by the lateral surface 74. The first clamping body 1 is illustrated without the first magnet 3 in FIG. 4 and with the first magnet 3 in FIG. 6, FIG. 7, and FIG. 8. The second clamping body 2 is illustrated without the second magnet 4 in FIG. 5 and with the second magnet 4 in FIG. 9, FIG. 10, and FIG. 11.

The magnet-receiving recess 73 is provided to both center and secure one of the magnets. Additionally, the magnet-receiving recess 73 helps to reduce the bulk of each clamping body while allowing stronger magnets to be used to maintain a strong clamping force. As previously discussed, the magnet-receiving recess 73 of the first clamping body 1 traverses into it through the first clamping body's 1 first planar surface 71, creating an indented area appropriately sized for the first magnet 3. Similarly, the magnet-receiving recess 73 of the second clamping body 2 traverses into it through the second clamping body's 2 first planar surface 71, creating an indent sized for the second magnet 4. The first clamping body 1 and second clamping body 2 are magnetically aligned with each other when installed on an intermediate material 5 due to the strength of the magnet forces. Thus, the lateral surface 74 of the first clamping body 1 is concentric with the lateral surface 74 of the second clamping body 2. The magnet receiving recess 73 is shown without a magnet in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5.

The position of the magnet-receiving recess 73 is further defined for the first clamping body 1 and the second clamping body 2. The magnet-receiving recess 73 of the first clamping body 1 is concentrically positioned with the first planar surface 71 of the first clamping body 1. Paralleling this, the magnet-receiving recess 73 of the second clamping body 2 is concentrically positioned with the first planar surface 71 of the second clamping body 2. Each magnet-receiving recess 73 thus receives and recesses a magnet into one of the clamping bodies. The first magnet 3 is connected with the magnet-receiving recess 73 of the first clamping body 1 while the second magnet 4 is connected within the magnet-receiving recess 73 of the second clamping body 2. As earlier referenced, recessing each magnet is advantageous as it reduces bulk compared to an embodiment where the magnets are externally mounted to their respective clamping body. Due to the concentric relations heretofore described, the first magnet 3 is centrally positioned into the first clamping body 1 and the second magnet 4 is centrally positioned into the second clamping body 2.

The magnets are essential to the present invention as they create the force that causes the first clamping body 1 and second clamping body 2 to attract each other and results in them clamping upon the intermediate material 5. The magnets are installed so that north pole is facing outward on the first clamping body 1, as shown in FIG. 6, and the south pole is facing outward on the second clamping body 2, as shown in FIG. 9. Several attributes of the first magnet 3 and the second magnet 4 assist with or amplify the clamping effect utilized by the present invention. In order to improve the present invention as mentioned, the first magnet 3 and the second magnet 4 each comprise an exposed planar surface 81. The exposed planar surface 81 of the magnet is defined as the face of the magnet that is not recessed into the corresponding clamping body. More explicitly stated, the exposed planar surface 81 of the first magnet 3 is oppositely positioned from the first clamping body 1 and the exposed planar surface 81 of the second magnet 4 is oppositely positioned from the second clamping body 2. During use these exposed planar surfaces 81 are pressed against each other, only being separated by the intermediate material 5 to which they are clamped.

To prevent the first magnet 3 and the second magnet 4 from slipping along the intermediate material 5 a grip-enhancement portion 82 may be positioned on the exposed planar surface 81 of any one of the exposed planar surface 81 of the first magnet 3 or the second magnet 4. The grip-enhancement portion 82 has a larger coefficient of friction than the rest of the magnet. This makes the present invention more stable as it increases the amount of force required to cause the first magnet 3, second magnet 4, or both to slide along the intermediate material 5. Preferably, the grip-enhancement portion 82 is embodied as an abrasive coating. This abrasive coating makes for a rougher surface. When any one of the treated surfaces (i.e. the exposed planar surface 81 of the first magnet 3 or the exposed planar surface 81 of the second magnet 4) are pressed against each other they are less likely to slip or slide. The abrasive coating results in a more secure coupling of the first clamping body 1 and the second clamping body 2 to the intermediate material 5. A visual example of the exposed planar surface 81 and grip-enhancement portion 82 is provided through FIG. 8 and FIG. 10.

In addition to being attracted to each other, the first magnet 3 and the second magnet 4 are capable of magnetizing the first clamping body 1 and (in an embodiment in which both clamping bodies are ferrous) the second clamping body 2, respectively. The first clamping body 1 is ferrous in the preferred embodiment, such that it becomes magnetized by the connected first magnet 3. Potentially, the second clamping body 2 may utilize a similar material; in one embodiment the second clamping body 2 is also ferrous and thus magnetized by the connected second magnet 4. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second clamping body 2 is a light-weight and non-ferrous material. There are advantages to both the preferred embodiment and other embodiments; in the other embodiment in which the second clamping body 2 is ferrous and magnetized allows the first clamping body 1 and the second clamping body 2 to be used interchangeably on either side of the material 5. Since, in this embodiment, each clamping body has the exact same properties and configuration of components, the position of the clamping bodies could be reversed without impacting the function of the present invention. In the preferred embodiment in which the second clamping body 2 is non-ferrous, it has the advantage of decreased weight and reduced area of magnetized material. The latter attribute is beneficial in reducing magnetic attraction on marketing display packages. In this preferred embodiment, the second clamping body 2 must always be positioned internal with respect to the intermediate material 5, while the first clamping body 1 must always be positioned external with respect to the intermediate material 5. This is because the magnetized first clamping body 1 must be accessible in order to attach the golf ball marker 6 to it. Both embodiments, where the second clamping body 2 is ferrous, or where the second clamping body 2 is non-ferrous, are possible without deviating from the scope of the present invention.

The golf ball marker 6 secured by the present invention is magnetically attached to the second planar surface 72 of the present invention, said planar surface having been magnetized by the first magnet 3. While the shape and size of the golf ball marker 6 can vary, it must be of a magnetic or ferrous material. While the preferred method of removing the golf ball marker 6 from the first clamping body 1 is to simply slide the golf ball marker 6 off the first clamping body 1, other methods can be used. In an embodiment where the golf ball marker 6 is flipped off of the first clamping body 1, it can be advantageous for the golf ball marker 6 to be a size greater than the first clamping body 1. The larger radius or shape compared to the first clamping body 1 allows a person to more easily grasp or slide the golf ball marker 6 to remove it from the first clamping body 1. The preferred method for removing the golf ball marker 6 from the holder is to slide the golf ball marker 6 off the first clamping body 1. The golf ball marker 6 is independently depicted in FIG. 12.

The present invention is simple and user-friendly as demonstrated by the following procedures. A user must first decide what item will act as the intermediate material 5. Since magnetic attraction works through solid objects, the present invention is compatible with a number of intermediate materials 5. A few non-limiting examples include headwear (e.g. a hat or the brim of a hat), garments (e.g. a shirt sleeve), and accessories (e.g. a golf bag). After selecting the item that will serve as the intermediate material 5, the user then takes the first clamping body 1 and second clamping body 2 and positions them on opposite sides of the intermediate material 5. For example, provided the brim of a hat is the intermediate material 5, the first clamping body 1 will be placed atop the brim and the second clamping body 2 will be placed below the brim. Each clamping body is oriented so that its corresponding magnet is adjacent to and touching the brim of the hat. The first magnet 3 and second magnet 4 are magnetically attracted to each other, resulting in the first clamping body 1 and second clamping body 2 pressing against the brim of the hat, effectively clamping down on said brim. The magnetic attraction between the first magnet 3 and the second magnet 4 secures the first clamping body 1 and the second clamping body 2 to the brim of the hat. If included, the grip-enhancement portion 82 of the first magnet 3 or the second magnet 4 increases friction with the brim of the hat, helping to prevent the first clamping body 1 and second clamping body 2 from sliding along the brim of the hat.

With the first clamping body 1 and second clamping body 2 now secured to the intermediate material 5, the golf ball marker 6 can now be attached to the first clamping body 1. As the first clamping body 1 is ferrous and thus magnetized by the first magnet 3, the golf ball marker 6 is magnetically attracted and secured to the first clamping body 1. The golf ball marker 6 remains secured and easily accessible until needed by a user. To release the golf ball marker 6 from the first clamping body 1, a user can simply slide the golf ball marker 6 away from the first clamping body 1 using the thumb and forefinger. Another method is to tip the marker off the first clamping body's 1 second planar surface 72. The force the user can exert is greater than the force of magnetic attraction between the first clamping body 1 and the golf ball marker 6, resulting in the golf ball marker 6 becoming detached from the first clamping body 1.

While the present invention has been described as utilizing magnetic attraction to secure the golf ball marker 6 to the first clamping body 1, other attachment means are possible. For example, if a non-metallic golf ball marker 6 is used then it cannot be secured by magnetic attraction. In other embodiments, provided for non-metallic golf ball markers 6, the second planar surface 72 may comprise a coupling mechanism for holding the golf ball marker 6. This coupling mechanism could be a clip, an adhesive coating applied to the second planar surface 72, or a latch; indeed, these are just a few examples and not meant to limit possible coupling mechanisms of other embodiments.

Furthermore, though the present invention has been described as being utilized with a golf ball marker 6, a number of other items can potentially be secured via the first clamping body 1 and the second clamping body 2. For example, the first clamping body 1 could be used to receive a glove, a pen, and keys. These examples are not mean to limit the items that users might desire to secure to the first clamping body 1 in place of the golf ball marker 6.

The use of the first magnet 3 and second magnet 4 to press the first clamping body 1 and the second clamping body 2 against the intermediate material 5 is an especially advantageous aspect of the present invention. While there are prior art for securing items to an intermediate material 5, they use means that cause some damage to the intermediate material 5. A common example of this is inserting a pin through the intermediate material 5. The repeated use of pins reduces structural integrity of the intermediate material 5 and can also result in aesthetic changes (e.g. a larger hole developing and becoming visible). As the present invention uses clamping action, there is minimal impact and essentially no damage caused to the intermediate material 5. This is a great advantage compared to the prior art.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for magnetically securing a golf ball mark holder to an article comprises: a first clamping body; a second clamping body; a first magnet; a second magnet; an intermediate material; the first clamping body and the second clamping body each comprise a first planar surface, a second planar surface, and a magnet-receiving recess; the first magnet being adjacently connected to the first clamping body; the second magnet being adjacently connected to the second clamping body; the first magnet being externally positioned on the intermediate material; the second magnet being internally positioned on the intermediate material; and the first magnet and the second magnet being magnetically attached to each other.
 2. The system for magnetically securing a golf ball mark holder to an article as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the first clamping body and the second clamping body each further comprise a lateral surface; the first planar surface being perimetrically connected to the lateral surface; the second planar surface being perimetrically connected to the lateral surface opposite the first planar surface; and the lateral surface of the first clamping body being concentric with the lateral surface of the second clamping body.
 3. The system for magnetically securing a golf ball mark holder to an article as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the magnet-receiving recess of the first clamping body traversing into the first clamping body from the first planar surface of the first clamping body; and the magnet-receiving recess of the first clamping body being concentrically positioned with the first planar surface of the first clamping body.
 4. The system for magnetically securing a golf ball mark holder to an article as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the magnet-receiving recess of the second clamping body traversing into the second clamping body from the first planar surface of the second clamping body; and the magnet-receiving recess of the second clamping body being concentrically positioned with the first planar surface of the second clamping body.
 5. The system for magnetically securing a golf ball mark holder to an article as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the first magnet being connected within the magnet-receiving recess of the first clamping body; and the second magnet being connected within the magnet-receiving recess of the second clamping body.
 6. The system for magnetically securing a golf ball mark holder to an article as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the first magnet and the second magnet each comprise an exposed planar surface; the exposed planar surface of the first magnet being oppositely positioned from the first clamping body; and the exposed planar surface of the second magnet being oppositely positioned from the second clamping body.
 7. The system for magnetically securing a golf ball mark holder to an article as claimed in claim 6 comprises: a grip-enhancement portion being positioned on the exposed planar surface of the first magnet and the second magnet, wherein the grip-enhancing portion increases the friction coefficient of the exposed planar surface; and the grip-enhancement portion being an abrasive coating.
 8. The system for magnetically securing a golf ball mark holder to an article as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the first clamping body being ferrous; and the first clamping body being magnetized by the first magnet.
 9. The system for magnetically securing a golf ball marker to an article as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the second clamping body being ferrous; and the second clamping body being magnetized by the second magnet.
 10. The system for magnetically securing a golf ball mark holder to an article as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the second clamping body being light-weight and non-ferrous.
 11. The system for magnetically securing a golf ball mark holder to an article as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the first planar surface of the first clamping body being adjacently positioned with the intermediate material; and the first planar surface of the second clamping body being adjacently positioned with the intermediate material.
 12. The system for magnetically securing a golf ball mark holder to an article as claimed in claim 1 comprises: a golf ball marker; the golf ball marker being magnetically attached to the second planar surface of the first clamping body; the golf ball marker being disc shaped; the golf ball marker being concentric with the first clamping body; and a radius of the golf ball marker being greater than a radius of the first clamping body.
 13. A system for magnetically securing a golf ball mark holder to an article comprises: a first clamping body; a second clamping body; a first magnet; a second magnet; an intermediate material; the first clamping body and the second clamping body each comprise a first planar surface, a second planar surface, a magnet-receiving recess, and a lateral surface; the first magnet and the second magnet each comprise an exposed planar surface; the first planar surface being perimetrically connected to the lateral surface; the second planar surface being perimetrically connected to the lateral surface opposite the first planar surface; the first magnet being adjacently connected to the first clamping body; the second magnet being adjacently connected to the second clamping body; the first magnet being externally positioned on the intermediate material; the second magnet being internally positioned on the intermediate material; the magnet-receiving recess of the first clamping body traversing into the first clamping body from the first planar surface of the first clamping body; the magnet-receiving recess of the second clamping body traversing into the second clamping body from the first planar surface of the second clamping body; the first magnet being connected within the magnet-receiving recess of the first clamping body; the second magnet being connected within the magnet-receiving recess of the second clamping body; and the first magnet and the second magnet being magnetically attached to each other.
 14. The system for magnetically securing a golf ball mark holder to an article as claimed in claim 13 comprises: the magnet-receiving recess of the first clamping body being concentrically positioned with the first planar surface of the first clamping body; the magnet-receiving recess of the second clamping body being concentrically positioned with the first planar surface of the second clamping body; and the lateral surface of the first clamping body being concentric with the lateral surface of the second clamping body.
 15. The system for magnetically securing a golf ball mark holder to an article as claimed in claim 13 comprises: the exposed planar surface of the first magnet being oppositely positioned from the first clamping body; the exposed planar surface of the second magnet being oppositely positioned from the second clamping body; a grip-enhancement portion being positioned on the exposed planar surface of the first magnet, wherein the grip-enhancing portion increases the friction coefficient of the exposed planar surface; and the grip-enhancement portion being an abrasive coating.
 16. The system for magnetically securing a golf ball mark holder to an article as claimed in claim 13 comprises: the first clamping body being ferrous; and the first clamping body being magnetized by the first magnet.
 17. The system for magnetically securing a golf ball mark holder to an article as claimed in claim 13 comprises: the second clamping body being ferrous; and the second clamping body being magnetized by the second magnet.
 18. The system for magnetically securing a golf ball mark holder to an article as claimed in claim 13 comprises: the second clamping body being lightweight and non-ferrous.
 19. The system for magnetically securing a golf ball mark holder to an article as claimed in claim 13 comprises: the first planar surface of the first clamping body being adjacently positioned with the intermediate material; and the first planar surface of the second clamping body being adjacently positioned with the intermediate material.
 20. The system for magnetically securing a golf ball mark holder to an article as claimed in claim 13 comprises: a golf ball marker; the golf ball marker being magnetically attached to the second planar surface of the first clamping body; the golf ball marker being disc shaped; the golf ball marker being concentric with the first clamping body; and a radius of the golf ball marker being greater than a radius of the first clamping body. 